Modernism is now a historic style, what is the future of architecture in an increasingly uncertain world?

Over the past decade the world has and continues to go through uncertain times. How does architecture respond to this uncertainty and what is required of architecture in the future. Especially in a time where technology threatens to expand above and beyond the horizons of space and time.

Over the past decade there has been a surge in popularity in architecture that has coincided with buildings increasingly interested in themselves than the world around them. While the aesthetic mind of architecture looks inwards the conscience must look out, reflecting on a future past or the future present.

Apr 13 2014:
I think the clean lines and uncluttered open spaces of the past 50 years are giving way to architecture that incorporates cultural themes. Some structures although futuristic are confronting the boundaries of physical forces limiting the structures design or forcing new engineering feats DE-acompli. Those seem rare to the government office norms we appreciate. Veranda's-decks, hidden alcoves, water features, contrasting materials, incorporated creative pieces all are the mix for blending a workable space as a home space.

Apr 22 2014:
I'm no architect so my views are only based on my perceptions.
1) architecture should be more integrated into nature, or, in other words become part of nature.Ideas like the ones from Mitchell Joachim seem to be on the right track.
2) traveling, even short distances become increasingly cumbersome. Therefore environments where all important infrastructure is easily accessible becomes increasingly important.
I envision splitting cities into smaller units that have all the necessary infrastructure so that they could stand independently and moving around from one end of the city to the other becomes unnecessary.
3) put all traffic underground, promote public transportation (this means providing accessibility to as many points as possible, speed, comfort, safety and cost).

Apr 11 2014:
Great topic, Tom. I think that people are so unaware of what Modernism truly means historically, architecturally or artistically. People often trust that "modern" means new and contemporary.

When I was involved in desiging of our small futuristic community town, it was impossible to see any new ideas among those suggested to us by architects, old and young. The architects these days are not at all free to be truly artistic, they are trained to imitate the approved styles. No time and no imagination, no clients who would be daring enough.

Therefore, practically all contemporary projects are based on recycling ideas borrowed from that very outdated (over 100 years old) Modern style. It is mixed with some insignificant details based on new materials and technology.

The badly outdated "Modern" ideas of a huge urban, robotic, so-called futuristic city may look impressive for naive observers, but its looks are again borrowed from very old science-fiction. We still can see those designs in just recently made-up movies about the future.

Another tendency we see here, in the USA, is imitation of traditional Italian architecture, designed for using artificial materials.

Architecture easily depresses or inspires our psyche.

--I'd like to build a truly futuristic small town community based on innovative infrastructure, sustainability and inspirational architectural ideas that shall serve not the crowds but unique individuals. I'd like to see gardens and parks, small business, privately owned restaurants and bakeries, live theaters, small schools and healthcare facilities surrounded by eatable gardens and greenhouses, tiny personal transportation, the streets designed for pedestrians, and no commercial transport or major roads within the community.

Have a lot to say - but this post-space is tiny.

I see new architecture magnificent but on a smaller scale, not to dominate over natural environment. It should be pleasing and comforting its denizens.

Apr 9 2014:
The future of architecture is enviro-friendliness: simple cubic shape for maximum insulation and minimum building material consumption; coloured and patterned brick-work for individuality; more glass on the sunny-side, less in the shade; more basement car parking; more roof-top use.